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Friday, June 21, 2013

Well, “hate” is kind of a strong word. How about what I “strongly disliked” or “freaking did not appreciate” about today’s run..

This is Joie, not me, running. People sometimes think we are sisters. Do you? She is frowning because her stomach hurts. I told her to do what I do and lay it all out on the side of the trail, or fart, but she didn’t.

You may be thinking “What’s not to like about that run? She’s a spoiled. bitchy brat.” Let me explain.

This was a gorgeous 10 mile run basically up and down a mountain.

That part was incredible, although HOT and I ran out of water (by the way I wrote a post last year on Tips for Running in the Heat and I think it has some good reminders, if I do say so myself. I should take my own advice and bring enough damn water).

The part of the run I HATED was on the way down. I was a few feet in front of Joie when I heard her scream. I came over to see a rattlesnake coiled up on the side of the trail, with his upper body in striking position. I didn’t see him when I ran by, but he rattled at Joie telling her to get the eff away or he would have his way with her. He looked like this (my phone had died by this point, so this is a Google image, but I swear this could be him).

This area is definitely known for its rattlesnakes. Ironically enough, earlier in the run we discussed what we would do if we got bitten by one. Slurp out the venom and spit it? Use my headband as a tourniquet? Pretend it didn’t happen and finish the run? I remember last year my daughter’s teacher found one on a hike with the class and did this:

I’m pretty sure that’s a big “No, no.”

You bet I came home and looked up what to do. If bitten by a rattler you should:

Remain calm – Okay, yeah sure.

Keep the bite lower than the heart – What if you get bitten in the heart? Or how about on your head? Would you have to do handstand?

Remain immobilized so the venom does not spread quickly throughout the body – so no rolling around and screaming.

51 comments:

Well if you have to stay immobilized how do you get yourself to the hospital? Especially if you're out running??? I suppose you could call 911 but then you probably won't have cell coverage or you may have not brought your silly phone. So..I don't want to die what do I do????

We trail run a lot and while we don't have rattlesnakes here (that I've seen), cotton mouths are plentiful. I've always wondered which is more important - "remain immobilized", or "get to the hospital". Is it better to lay there and wait no telling how long for medical assistance to get to you out in the woods, or walk out yourself?

I grew up in Colorado and had way to many run in with snakes. In New England they are few and far between but I still jump every time I see one. I think it all goes back to when my sister brought home a rattlesnake. Yes you read that right - she brought it home. It had been hit by a car and she wanted to nurse it back to health. She put it in a bucket with grass and a stick. I guess it was a nice thought - but it was a rattlesnake!!

Yeah - worst for me is jellyfish - one of which was pretty bad. But in the grand scheme of things I'm okay with it.

This is my BIGGEST fear!! So many rattlesnakes in our area so, even though I LOVE running in the amazing trails directly behind my house, I'm scared sh*tless. However, the last animal I actually SAW on a run, was a coyote...in the middle of the day. Yeah. We live IN A CITY...BY THE BEACH too so it's not like I'm purposely out in the wilderness hanging with a bunch wild animals! We also have a weirdly large number of turkey vultures in our area, but I guess those will only be an issue AFTER I die from the rattlesnake and/or coyote bite during my run. :)

OMG! The day before yesterday I RAN as in leaped over a baby freakin rattlesnake! A prairie rattlesnake. While we are talking about being creeped out,yes, bats creep me out too. I worked with someone whose husband died of rabies from a bat. He was not bitten, the bat brushed up against him as it flew by. A rabid bat can pass the virus in their saliva ,so if they have happened to just groom themselves or something.....and I also found a dead rabid bat near the doghouse(had it tested), so yeah, I am not a bat fan either.Back to the snakes, just making sure you do know that there is a vaccine for dogs for rattlesnakes. Ask your vet and you can do snake aversion training as well. Rattlesnake bites are a far greater danger to pets than humans. The last animal I saw outside-deer, they are everywhere here. I have been bitten by a dog. Not fun at all.

If I'm not mistaken, you stay where you are if you can get help in a reasonable amount of time. Otherwise you should get yourself to a place where you can get help, but don't exert yourself because that will pump the venom through your bloodstream faster. Although I'm just an outdoor enthusiast and not a doctor, so take that with a grain of salt :)

If I got bitten by a snake, it would be because I already WAS immobilized, because they scare the ever-lovin' crap outta me. In fact, I have no idea what 1/2 this blog post says, because I had to scroll down super fast to skip the two terrifying pictures you posted. Eek.

This morning we were doing boot camp at the swim beach (a man-made beach by the lake where we live) and a black rat came running out of nowhere - Rats are disgusting!!!I've actually killed a rattle-snake before (I'm from west Texas) by chopping it's head off with a hoe - fun stuff. Glad no one was bit today!!!

Coyote on my run Thurs a.m. and bear when up in Alaska. I keep looking for rattlers and other snakes on my mtn. bike rides but they aren't out that early. Need to ride in the p.m. I guess! I LOVE snakes!

The interesting thing about rattlesnake bites is that they really only release enough venom to kill something that is about the size of a rabbit, which is why bites usually swell to large rabbit size. This is also why it's a concern to be bitten by a baby snake, they don't have that kind of control on venom release but ALSO why MOST bites to humans by adult snakes are dry... The rattlesnake vaccine is not available for humans and while it MAY be a good idea for your dog it's also important to note that it doesn't mean your dog WON'T need antivenom, just that he will need LESS antivenom. As most veterinarians I know only carry 1-2 vials (which may likely be less than a large dog might need anyway) the vaccine may or may not be worth it.Last non-household animal I saw- baby hummingbirds and javalina I've been bitten by a black widow, that sucked.

I ran right up on a bull snake crossing the bike path near my house in Erie last weekend. I used to freak out when I saw a snake. But I didn't see a rattle so I just stopped and waited for him to cross and then continued my run.

This time of year I just try to stay in the middle of the trail with my one ear bud turned down so I'm not surprised by one hiding in the grass! Unfortunately, I'm just near-sighted enough to think every horse turd on Teller Farms trail is a snake until I get right up on it.

Many moons ago I could not have read this post because it contained a picture of a snake. Then, my oldest son became so obsessed with snakes that he eventually wore me down and I let him get one. Now, I don't even bat an eye when my husband brings home a new snake for one of my children (yes, even my girls love snakes) - however - if I see a snake while I am running it gives me one of those near-death experiences you talked about in your last post! Snakes belong in cages!The last animal I saw was an incredible lazy armadillo. There is a reason so many of those things end up dead on the side of the road!

I last saw a cute little bunny; haha no I saw a big dog who saw me first and started barking his head offThe only "injury/poison" I can think of is when I was stung by a wasp when I was 5 ... from what I remember, it hurt like the dickens

I saw scorpions on the night trial race we did. That FREAKED me out. Normally I just see bunnies, jackrabbits, quail. The occasional coyote. They think I was bit in the throat by a spider (hazard of sleeping with your mouth open) when I was in college and it made me really sick.

I was riding my bike a couple of years ago when a girl walking her dog walked by. Her damn dog jumped up and bit me in the waist! I still have scars. Had to get a rabies and tetanus shot. Now anytime I run or walk by a dog, I give a super wide berth...even if it is a pug.

I am so glad we are back in Germany where there are no poisonous animals. We used to live in Soutwest Kansas and I worked in the fields during the summer - I never got used to the wildlife in the US. I often see bunnies and snails on my run and the most dangerous thing is slipping on dog poop. Actually, there are certain times of the day when dogs are the problem - and irresponsible people who let their pitt bulls run free along the trail. My husband only runs with pepper spray at the ready. But I hate running at my parents cabin - wild boars, I am scared to death of seeing one while on a run - so far it hasn't happend yet, but you never know.

I almost stepped on a snake if my mom had not stopped me I would have. The other day my mom went out early and she met Bambi the baby deer I was wicked jealous. The last time I was bitten was by ants. I do not like ants.

NO. Just...no. I don't DO snakes. I freaked out the one and only time we saw a snake at our house - a teeny, tiny baby garter snake. Did I mention it was tiny? My son STILL talks about that, and it was 4 years ago!

I saw a bunny, a chipmunk and a black and white dog (tied up) on my run this morning. We have recently had several red fox in our area so I'm being extra vigilant. This past spring, I had a fox peer in our back window at me and then run through our path in our yard. Creeped me out a bit.

I came across a rattlesnake two weeks ago. Luckily he was munching down on a mouse (not so lucky for the mouse) so he wasn't too excited about me but he did rattle at me - probably afraid I was going to fight him for that poor mouse. Good to know what to do in case I ever do get bit (besides say lots of naughty words) - I do run with my phone since I run alone but there is the issue of no cell service at times.

Husband and I recently had the opportunity to do several trail runs some were at the park close to home and some in the GA and TN Appalachian and Smoky mountains. We saw 5 snakes out of 6 runs. Thankfully they were black snake and small yellow rat snakes warming up on the edges of the trails.Yes I am being poisoned daily by the wretched mosquitoes. All the rain we have had and they are biting me day and night! Oh I was bit by a monkey when I was 6 years old. Once is enough!

This morning I ran past a male wild turkey, who fanned out his tail feathers for me (I'm thinking there must be a female turkey shortage in our neck of the woods!). I also saw sandhill cranes and doe, and do occasionally see cute little snakes, but nothing quite so scary as a rattle snake. Yikes!

We don't have too many venomous creatures here in WI, but I was bitten by a dog while out running. As a results, I'm much more fearful of unleashed dogs than I am of any wild creatures around here!

Last non pet was some wild mountain goats out for a stroll near Banff. The scariest animal I've ever seen was a mama bison giving me the stink eye from about 20 feet as I rode past. She seemed to be trying to decide if I was a threat or not, and how bad she'd have to stomp me. The fence between us didn't concern her, and didn't reassure me. I pedaled faster.

The last time I remember being bitten was by a mouse when I was about 8 or 9. Given some of the other creatures I see, that's probably a good thing.

My mom recently sent me a text message that she was in her car and saw a girl jogging w headphones who didn't realize she was being followed by a pack of coyotes. Within seconds, she was surrounded and froze out of fear (Note: if you ever find yourself in this situation w Eastern coyotes, DONT FREEZE! Make a commotion to scare them off). Mom pulled over, rolled her window down and yelled, "Get in!!!" action-movie hero style. She then drove the very gracious girl home. Be careful out there, runners!

Last week while trail running in Evergreen I ran into the biggest black bear I've ever seen! I stopped, we looked at each other for a while, then he ambled away. I ran as fast as I could all the way home! Major adrenaline rush!

Around thanksgiving time I was doing a long run and found myself racing against a deer!! Definitely the coolest running/wild animal experience I've encountered by far! Oh, I also ran straight into a giant spider web on my tempo run today. Not fun.

The last non pet I saw was cows and calves in the field across from my neighborhood. Not exactly pets but not exactly free either... so I guess I'm going to have to go with road kill... I saw a crushed turtle today.

No rattlesnakes up in Canada :). We saw a mother and 2 baby skunks walking in our backyard. Didn't get too close to pet them, though! Also saw a deer the night before in the field across our house. It was beautiful.

I see fox and deer on my runs quite a bit. That snake would have scared the absolute shit out of me! Right now there have been a lot of bear sightings in my area so I often think about what I would do if I encountered one and I usually end up with "lay down and die" since I won't be able to outrun or fight a freakin BEAR!Oh the trials and tribulations of being a runner!Be careful out there...

Once I ran across a mole snake. I seriously mean I ran across one because it was so long it stretched across the entire road. Within about 1-2 minutes of me jumping over it and screaming bloody murder, a van hurtled down the road and ... splat. Yeah. Too busy sunning itself to bother moving.

on a recent trail run with my half sisters boyfriend, a hunky semi-pro soccer player from Barcelona (we are in Utah) he cut away from the girls to run some sprints... apparently our 11-12 mile pace was cramping his style.. when he came darting back towards us stating that "something like a giant horse with no rider adn horns" (Moose) had stepped out on the trail right in front of him then starting chasing him. Before he caught his breathe and we could tell what he was saying a man came up and said "dude, that was a Moose and it was after you". Funniest moment of my life! good thing he can run a 6 minute mile or it may have been a different story!